The passenger seat occupancy sensor has malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to believe that there is an infant car seat in the front passenger seat. This puts front passengers at risk because the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash. While having body work done at Swartz's Ultimate Collison repair in Lewisburg, it was noted by the technician, however Mini does not cover repair by a non dealer or accept accounting of the defect from a non dealer. I was unaware that the vehicle was nearing the end of it's warranty and waited too long to inquire again. They will not fix it.
2011 MINI Cooper airbags problems
18 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 77,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical mileage
- 77,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Sensor: occupant classification: front passenger1
- Sensor: occupant classification1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
MINI Cooper airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 MINI Cooper airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2011 MINI Cooper owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My passenger seat airbag warning is illuminated, with associated chime. I am also getting a orange warning light indicating the passenger airbag is inop. This is intermittent with a passenger occupying the passenger seat. lights go on and off with movement of the passenger. There is a current recall for the convertible model of the R56 Mini Cooper.
The passenger front seat airbag sensor is malfunctioning on a large number of these vehicles. Doing an Internet search for my fault code, 93C3 reveals a lot of discussion about the problem. there had been a recall on earlier Mini Coopers for the same problem. I suspect they have not solved the problem and there should be a recall for this R 56 model.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF, AS WELL AS THE SEATBELT LIGHTS. IT CAN BE INSPECTED IF REQUESTED. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? IF THE AIRBAGS OR SEAT BELTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURY UP TO AND INCLUDING DEATH. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? IT KEEPS HAPPENING, NOT BEEN TO A DEALER YET THOUGH. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO INPSECTION HAS BEEN DONE. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? IT APPEARS THAT THE SUNROOF HAS BEEN LEAKING DOWN THE DASH ON THE PASSENEGER SIDE. THAT LEAKS RIGHT ONTO THE FUSE BOX WHICH COULD BE CAUSING SOME OF THE ISSUES. IF THE FUSE BOX IS BEING LEAKED ONTO THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
trouble code: 93C3 ACSM/MRS: Seat-occupancy detector, passenger
No incident yet. The airbag passenger side sensor keeps coming on constantly and I don't know if it is going to deploy or what. No one is sitting in seat but sensor constantly ringing. Started approximately 2-3 months ago intermittent and now happens daily.
Starting June 2023 the Airbag indicator light would turn on when I put a bag or even something light on the passenger seat. Now it randomly goes on if I hit a bump in the road. Keep in mind I don't have an actual passenger that sits in the "Passenger seat". Which is completely baffling me! Please create a recall MINI/BMW Corporation, because I see that the 2011 MINI's are all having this problem!
The passenger airbag warning light indicating the passenger side airbag is disabled is on, even if passenger is seated. The warning was intermittent starting in 2015 and the continuous since 2022. Our mechanic tells us the on-board computer system no longer recognizes the passenger front airbag sensor. Therefore, the airbags are being disabled for both passenger and driver.
There is a known issue with the passenger seat occupancy sensor that trips the airbag/seatblet lights and, I assume, doesn't turn off the airbag in the applicable situations.
The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the air bag mat sensor on the passenger’s side needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.
Questions about the 2011 MINI Cooper airbags
Does the 2011 MINI Cooper have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the airbags of the 2011 MINI Cooper, 22% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 MINI Cooper airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 77,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 MINI Cooper airbags?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the MINI Cooper have bad airbags?
The MINI Cooper model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (111 complaints), 2009 (62 complaints) and 2007 (47 complaints).
Other 2011 MINI Cooper problems
Electrical 37Engine 17Lights 10Transmission 9Fuel system 7Brakes 4Seats 4Body 3Seat belts 3Steering 3Acceleration 2Visibility 2Driver assistance 1Suspension 1Wheels 1
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